“Yes, I know his name. Zidane? I see you coming. There are not a lot of profiles who can claim to lead one of the biggest selections in the world.. In a major interview given to FigaroPhillipe Diallo, president of the FFF, confirmed that he had already chosen the successor of Didier Deschamps. And it now seems like an open secret. Without a club since his departure from Real Madrid, Zinédine Zidane should, without too much surprise, become the new coach of the Blues after the 2026 World Cup, organized on American soil from June 11 to July 19.
Towards an increase in the contribution of current sponsors?
If no agreement has yet been ratified, the former Juventus Turin star will therefore have the heavy responsibility of continuing to make the French selection shine on the European and world stage. More than his aura, which no longer needs to be proven, and his tactical ambitions on the Blues bench, Zidane will also arrive with an image that sticks to him. And what a picture. That of a former player, considered one of the best in the world of football. That of a proven and respected coach, as evidenced by his three Champions Leagues won with the Merengues. Also that of a man dubbed by the French people.
So many arguments which could logically propel the two-star selection into a new era. Already followed by numerous sponsors, the Blues should then take advantage of this new momentum to maximize their profits. According to the latest information from The TeamJean-François Vilotte, the general director of the FFF, has been working in this direction for several weeks by increasing the number of meetings with several sponsors in order to study the feasibility of increasing their financial contribution. But that’s not all.
Adidas vs Nike, a gray area
In addition to sponsorship, the arrival of ZZ on the French bench also raises another financial question: that of his salary. While Didier Deschamps currently receives around 3 million gross per year, not counting bonuses (linked to image rights and results during major tournaments), can the ex-Madrilenian coach claim more? Yes without a doubt although the latter does not make it a question of money, the emoluments received by other coaches – like Carlo Ancelotti, in Brazil, who would receive around 10 million euros annually to manage the Seleção – opens up great prospects for ZZ.
Finally, although the reputation of the French legend will inevitably take on the appearance of a locomotive for French football, a few drawbacks remain. It is appropriate, in this respect, to remember that the Blues coach has historically not entered the rotation for commercial operations. With a lesser impact in terms of sponsorship, Zidane has also been linked for years to Adidas while Nike is, today, the equipment supplier of the FFF (more than 100 million euros annually until 2034, counting endowments). A point which should not call into question the marketing impact of a possible arrival of Zinedine Zidane at the head of the Blues.
